Part 2 of 2
Pattern recognition
Pattern recognition in Chinese Medicine is utilized to identify the area/s in the body that have become out of balance. Utilizing the information gathered from assessment with the patients history, pulse and tongue diagnosis, as well as the appearance, smell and sound of the patient, the practitioner uses this data to establish recognition of patterns that are present. These patterns are well understood in Chinese diagnostics and can render a concise treatment plan using acupuncture, lifestyle modification, diet, massage and herbal formulas.
There are multiple methods and theories of pattern recognition. Listed below are these methods and an explanation to begin to understand how a practitioner reaches a diagnosis and treatment plan.
The 8 Principles
Identification of Patterns According to the Eight Principles/Patterns
- Interior/Exterior: Interior/Exterior indicates the location of the disharmony, not the cause. For example: Diseases caused by an exterior pathogen (ie coldness) may begin in the exterior (the meridians), but in time they may affect the interior (such as the internal organs).
- Hot/Cold: Describes the basic nature of the imbalance. Either slow or accelerated metabolic activity.
- Excess/Deficiency: Excess conditions produce signs like: acute disease, restlessness, irritability, severe pain. Deficient conditions produce signs like: chronic disease, listlessness, lying curled up weak respiration, dull, lingering pain.
- Yin/Yang: Interior, empty, cold is Yin. Exterior, full, heat is Yang. (1)
The 8 Principles are four sets of polar categories that distinguish between and interpret data gathered by examination. They determine the relative nature, quality, and location of the Qi, Moisture, and Blood in the body as a whole and within each of the 12 Organ Networks. (See previous article Part 1 on Chinese Medicine Philosophy.) (2)
http://drrademacher.blogspot.com/2013/08/chinese-medicine.html
http://drrademacher.blogspot.com/2013/08/chinese-medicine.html
The 5 Climates
The five climates correspond to the cycle of the seasons. These include Wind, Heat, Cold, Dampness and Dryness.
The 5 Phases
The Five Phases, or Five Elements, are aspects of Qi. They include Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These five phases or elements have a function of generating each other as well as restraining each other. Its like a system of checks and balances. For instance, wood element generates fire providing fuel for combustion, yet inhibits earth element by covering it with trees, thus preventing erosion. These examples in nature are quite literal yet symbolically can also be seen in the body with similar functions.
Each organ is associated with a phase/element and thus the organ network is in tune with the cycles of generation and restraint. A regular rhythm of qi coursing in the body is the underlying movement of the 5 phases, thus when out of balance it must be noted which phase/element and organ (see diagram to the right) is affected and which is the root of disharmony and hindered flow of qi. It is this association along with identifying the 5 climates and 8 principles that leads the practitioner to identify the pattern of disease.
Using the Philosophy to Prescribe a Treatment
Applying the patients full scope of information in association to the levels of the body allows the practitioner to begin to develop an understanding of where an imbalance lies in the system. This imbalance may be superficial in the meridian level, there could be deficiency of blood or tissue injury, or possibly damage at the deep layer of the organs. Once the practitioner identifies the level of disease and climate features, the meridians, tissues and organs that need focused attention and principles that must to be applied, a treatment plan is devised to restore proper functioning of the system.
Suggested Reading on this topic:
- Wind: its nature is movement and is associated with spring which is a time of sudden change in the environment. It corresponds to the wood phase.
- Heat: its nature is to accelerate metabolic activity, dilate blood vessels and activate circulation. Summer is dominated by heat and corresponds to the fire phase.
- Dampness: its nature is to sink and accumulate like a stagnant swamp. It is characterized by a buildup of fluids or excess sections. Late summer is dominated by dampness and corresponds to the earth phase.
- Dryness: its nature is to wither and shrivel. Dryness damages fluids and is manifested by symptoms of dehydration. Dryness dominates autumn, the season associated with the metal phase.
- Cold: its nature is to slow things down by chilling them. Cold depresses metabolism and retards circulation. Winter is dominated by cold and corresponds to the water phase. (2)
The 5 Phases
The Five Phases, or Five Elements, are aspects of Qi. They include Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These five phases or elements have a function of generating each other as well as restraining each other. Its like a system of checks and balances. For instance, wood element generates fire providing fuel for combustion, yet inhibits earth element by covering it with trees, thus preventing erosion. These examples in nature are quite literal yet symbolically can also be seen in the body with similar functions.
Each organ is associated with a phase/element and thus the organ network is in tune with the cycles of generation and restraint. A regular rhythm of qi coursing in the body is the underlying movement of the 5 phases, thus when out of balance it must be noted which phase/element and organ (see diagram to the right) is affected and which is the root of disharmony and hindered flow of qi. It is this association along with identifying the 5 climates and 8 principles that leads the practitioner to identify the pattern of disease.
Using the Philosophy to Prescribe a Treatment
The above is truly a vast amount of complex information that when utilized can enlighten the practitioner to the underlying cause of illness in the patient. The Chinese practitioner reflects on information gained in history taking, pulse and tongue diagnosis as well as other observations in appearance, smell and sound of the patient. From this, one can devise a treatment using one or a combination of Chinese therapies.
Applying the patients full scope of information in association to the levels of the body allows the practitioner to begin to develop an understanding of where an imbalance lies in the system. This imbalance may be superficial in the meridian level, there could be deficiency of blood or tissue injury, or possibly damage at the deep layer of the organs. Once the practitioner identifies the level of disease and climate features, the meridians, tissues and organs that need focused attention and principles that must to be applied, a treatment plan is devised to restore proper functioning of the system.
Suggested Reading on this topic:
The Web Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine by Ted Kaptchuk
Resources
1. http://www.sacredlotus.com/diagnosis/patterns_qi_blood_fluids.cfm
2. Between Heaven and Earth by Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold. Chapter 5, pg 61-92.
Images courtesy of:
http://www.traditionalchinesehealing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Pulse-Reading.jpg
http://www.soundsourcery.com/tjm/images/FiveElement.gif
2. Between Heaven and Earth by Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold. Chapter 5, pg 61-92.
Images courtesy of:
http://www.traditionalchinesehealing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Pulse-Reading.jpg
http://www.soundsourcery.com/tjm/images/FiveElement.gif
